Store clerk’s call leads to Bangor man’s arrest on arson charges

Contributed | BDN

Contributed | BDN

By From and wire reports, Special to the BDN •December 4, 2010 4:12 pm

BANGOR, Maine — A Maine gas station clerk’s call to the Bangor Police Department about a customer’s strange behavior and purchase of gas, a gas can, matches and cigarettes helped lead to the arrest of a man on an arson charge Friday night.

According to a press release from Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards, the Big Apple clerk, who knew the customer, became suspicious Friday after he had a conversation with the man. He reported it to police.

About an hour later, police and fire crews responded to a report that a building at 143 Broadway was on fire and people were evacuating. When Officer Russ Twaddell arrived on the scene, he reported that the porch on the Cumberland Street side of the house was in flames.

The fire was brought under control after about 15 minutes, according to Bangor Assistant Fire Chief Darrell Cyr. No one was hurt, but rescue crews did assist one male tenant in getting out of his third-floor apartment.

The clerk’s call was determined to be related to the fire. Within two hours police arrested 33-year-old Matthew Fernald of Bangor. He was charged with Class A felony suspicion of arson, according to the press release. Fernald remains at Penobscot County Jail.